Three things to watch out for during pregnancy (even if you’re not the one with the womb)

Throughout her nine months of pregnancy, your wife’s body and mind will undergo a significant amount of stress, transformation and discomfort. Morning sickness, mood swings, odd food cravings and bouts of depression are all common symptoms of what some women consider the most trying (albeit rewarding) experience one can undergo.

Sure, you’re not the one carrying, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take an active role in those nine special months. As a future father, you’ll want to ensure that your baby and wife make it to the other side happy and healthy. Here are three warning signs to look out for.

Bleeding
Whether it’s the first, second or third trimester, any bleeding from your wife will likely require attention. Even if it’s only a little spotting, you should probably contact your doctor to ensure everything is progressing according to plan. Although it’s probably not serious, bleeding could be a sign of many different complications ranging from a possible miscarriage to a placental abruption.

Early contractions
Contractions could be a sign that the baby is on its way, so it’s important to pay attention to any abdominal pains that may occur in the third trimester. Many women experience false contractions (known as Braxton-Hicks), which are less severe and predictable than normal ones. However, if your wife experiences contractions that grow increasingly intense and occur within 10 minutes of each other, it could indicate she’s going into early labor. Immediate care and bed rest can help delay labor and keep your baby from making too early of an appearance.

Infrequent babyactivity
As your wife progresses further into her pregnancy, you’ll both be delighted when you first see or feel your child moving around in her womb. Eventually, this type of motion will become a commonly occurring activity. However, you might want to take note if you suddenly notice a drop off in kicking or moving once your baby becomes active. It may be best to call your doctor in this instance.

A great dad himself, Armin speaks not only as a specialist in parenting, but as a parent himself.
Hailed by Time Magazine as "the superdad's superdad," Armin Brott has been building better fathers for more than a decade. As the author of six bestselling books on fatherhood, he's helped millions of men around the world become the fathers they want to be—and that their children need them to be.
He has written for The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, American Baby, Parenting, Child, Men's Health, The Washington Post, and dozens of other major publications and websites.
Armin has been a guest on hundreds of radio and television shows, including Today, CBS Overnight, Fox News, and Politically Incorrect, and his work on fatherhood has been featured in such places as Glamour, Time, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Newsday, and many others.
Armin is the host of "Positive Parenting," a weekly radio program which airs in the San Francisco Bay Area and a number of other markets. He also does the "DaddyCast" podcast. As a trusted spokesperson, Armin speaks on fatherhood around the country and teaches classes for expectant and new dads. Armin lives with his wife and three children in Oakland, California.

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